Qatar will build a national pavilion in the historic venue of Giardini della Biennale, which first opened to the public in 1895. Qatar will join 30 other nations with permanent pavilions in the Giardini. Only two others have opened there in the last 50 years (Australia and Republic of Korea).
The announcement of the Qatar Pavilion follows the signing of a Protocol of Cooperation between Qatar Museums and the Municipality of Venice in June 2024, in which the two parties agreed to strengthen their existing relationships and enhance collaboration in the cultural and socio-economic fields among Qatar, Venice, and the Italian Republic.
Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums and commissioner of the Qatar Pavilion, said, “La Biennale di Venezia is the world’s pre-eminent gathering in art and architecture, and the Giardini is the historic landscape where extraordinary pavilions stand as ambassadors for their nations. Qatar is proud to take its place in this international assembly, advancing our role as a global leader in cultural diplomacy and providing an unparalleled platform for giving voice to the creative talent of our nation and the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia region.”
Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, President of La Biennale di Venezia, said, “Venice is the only European city to have had, since the year 1000 CE, a name in Arabic, Bunduqiyyah, a fact that testifies to the teeming mixture of languages and ethnicities that have long sheltered here. In the spirit of curiosity, exploration, and sincere human exchange that characterises Venice and its Biennale, I welcome Qatar to the Giardini, as a powerful global source of creativity and cross-cultural understanding.”
The new Qatar Pavilion will be located on a central site in the Giardini, adjacent to the iconic Book Pavilion.
Qatar will begin to activate its site in May 2025 during the 19th International Architecture Exhibition by presenting a major installation, Community Centre, by Pakistani architect Yasmeen Lari.
The installation will be part of the exhibition Beyti Beytak. My home is your home. La mia casa è la tua casa., presented at both the Giardini and ACP-Palazzo Franchetti. In keeping with the theme of the Biennale Architettura 2025, Beyti Beytak. My home is your home. La mia casa è la tua casa. will explore how hospitality and traditions of welcome are embodied in the contemporary architecture and landscapes throughout the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA). Paying tribute to pioneering architects and thinkers, the exhibition will feature works by more than 20 modern and contemporary architects from the MENASA region, including several whose work has not previously been shown in Venice.
Among the pioneering modern architects represented are Raj Rewal (India), Nayyar Ali Dada (Pakistan), Abdel Wahed el Wakil (Egypt), and Minnette de Silva (Sri Lanka). Their work will be highlighted along with that of a range of contemporary designers and architects, including Marina Tabassum and Nabil Haque (Bangladesh), Sameep Padora and Vastu Shilpa (India), Daaz Studio (Iran), Abeer Seikaly (Jordan), Sumaya Dabbagh (UAE), Liz Diller (USA), Meriem Shabani (Iran), and the New South Studio (France), among others.
The exhibition is commissioned by H.E. Sheikha Al Mayassa and Qatar Museums and organised by the future Art Mill Museum. It is curated by Aurélien Lemonier, Art Mill Museum Curator of Architecture, and Sean Anderson, Associate Professor at Cornell University, with the collaboration of Virgile Alexandre.
About Qatar Museums
Now marking its 20th anniversary, Qatar Museums (QM) is the nation’s preeminent institution for art and culture, providing authentic and inspiring cultural experiences through a growing network of museums, heritage sites, festivals, public art installations, and programmes. QM preserves and expands the nation’s cultural offerings, sharing art and culture from Qatar and the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) region with the world and enriching the lives of citizens, residents, and visitors.
Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and led by its Chairperson, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, QM has made Qatar a vibrant centre for the arts, culture, and education in the Middle East and beyond. Since its founding in 2005, QM has overseen the development of museums and festivals including the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) and MIA Park, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum of Qatar (NMOQ), 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, QM Gallery Al Riwaq, QM Gallery Katara, and Design Doha. Future projects include Art Mill Museum, Lusail Museum, Dadu: Children’s Museum of Qatar, and Qatar Auto Museum.
Through its Creative Hub, QM also initiates and supports projects—such as the Fire Station Artist in Residence, the Tasweer Qatar Photo Festival, M7, the creative hub for innovation, fashion and design, and Liwan Design Studios and Labs —that nurture artistic talent and create opportunities to build a strong and sustainable cultural infrastructure.
For more information visit https://qm.org.qa.
About La Biennale di Venezia
Established in 1895, La Biennale di Venezia is considered one of the most famous and prestigious cultural institutions in the world. At the forefront of research and the dissemination of new contemporary artistic trends, the Venice Biennale organises exhibitions, performances, research, and training activities in all its Sectors: Art (1895), Architecture (1980), Cinema (1932), Dance (1999), Theatre (1934), and Music (1930). Its International Art and Architecture Exhibitions introduce hundreds of thousands of visitors to new architecture every two years. The 19th International Biennale Architettura of La Biennale di Venezia (May 10 – November 23, 2025) will be curated by architect and engineer Carlo Ratti. Information about the Biennale Architettura 2025 is available at: labiennale.org/en/architecture/2025.